Officials continue to seek new location for paintball fields

Published: Thursday, July 31, 2014 at 04:11 PM.

HURLBURT FIELD — Base officials are still working to find an alternative location for the beloved paintball fields that closed down last fall.

The fields, which opened in 2001 on the south side of U.S. Highway 98 near the entrance to Hurlburt Field, drew crowds of both airmen and the general public.

“It was very popular, that’s why we’re working so hard to find a new site,” said Air Force Lt. Col. James Beaty, commander of the 1st Special Operations Force Support Squadron at Hurlburt, which oversaw the fields.

The fields were closed to make room for a new private housing development.

Ever since, officials have been trying to identify a suitable new location at Hurlburt, Eglin Air Force Base or surrounding property, Beaty said.

Last week, a post on an unofficial Facebook page for the paintball fields said word had been handed down that the fields would not be reopening.

The notice sparked an outcry, with longtime fans lamenting the loss of the only paintball practice fields in the area.

Beaty said, contrary to the post, officials have not given up on finding a new location.

Finding space — Hurlburt has only about 30 acres of undeveloped property — and funding have been challenging, he said, but they continue to work towards a solution.

“The more we hear from airmen on how important this is to them, the more we have the opportunity to go back and talk to the players to try to make this happen,” Beaty said.

HURLBURT FIELD — Base officials are still working to find an alternative location for the beloved paintball fields that closed down last fall.

The fields, which opened in 2001 on the south side of U.S. Highway 98 near the entrance to Hurlburt Field, drew crowds of both airmen and the general public.

“It was very popular, that’s why we’re working so hard to find a new site,” said Air Force Lt. Col. James Beaty, commander of the 1st Special Operations Force Support Squadron at Hurlburt, which oversaw the fields.

The fields were closed to make room for a new private housing development.

Ever since, officials have been trying to identify a suitable new location at Hurlburt, Eglin Air Force Base or surrounding property, Beaty said.

Last week, a post on an unofficial Facebook page for the paintball fields said word had been handed down that the fields would not be reopening.

The notice sparked an outcry, with longtime fans lamenting the loss of the only paintball practice fields in the area.

Beaty said, contrary to the post, officials have not given up on finding a new location.

Finding space — Hurlburt has only about 30 acres of undeveloped property — and funding have been challenging, he said, but they continue to work towards a solution.

“The more we hear from airmen on how important this is to them, the more we have the opportunity to go back and talk to the players to try to make this happen,” Beaty said.